RANGERS manager Philippe Clement has branded the comments his Celtic counterpart Brendan Rodgers made yesterday disrespectful to his team and cranked tensions between the bitter city rivals up a notch ahead of the Old Firm game.
Rodgers stated that the Scottish champions “can have a bit of fun” in the cinch Premiership match against their nearest challengers at Parkhead next Saturday following his side’s comfortable 3-0 triumph over third-placed Hearts.
Clement, whose charges came from behind to beat Kilmarnock 4-1 at Ibrox this afternoon and reduce the league leaders’ cushion at the top of the table to three points, took a dim view of the Northern Irishman’s remarks.
“That it is something that I would never say about an opponent,” he said. “It’s not really respectful towards my team. That is what I think. So I will never say things like that about an opponent. But okay, we will see.”
Clement was pleased with how his charges, who went a goal down in the first-half when Rangers captain James Tavernier put the ball into his own net, responded to falling behind and admitted he is looking forward to the Celtic game.
“We had a really good start to the game,” he said. “We were fast, we were strong in the duels, we were winning the duels, we were playing forward and creating chances. The VAR thought we should have had a penalty because he asked the referee to the screen. Apparently the referee didn’t agree and it stays a difficult rule for me.
